Arkansas - Agricultural Communication Services - University of ...

Arkansas Steer Feedout Program
1999-2000
T. Troxel, G. Davis, S. Gadberry, S. McPeake, and W. Wallace 1
Story in Brief
The objective of the Arkansas Steer Feedout Program is to provide cow-calf producers information about the postweaning
performance and carcass characteristics of their calves. Steers that were composed of more than 50% English,
less than 50% Continental, and less than 25% Brahman breeding had a higher percentage that graded Choice than steers
that did not satisfy the breed type description (65% vs. 35%). Hot carcass weight, days on feed, quality grade, yield
grade, medicine cost, and dressing percentage were significant factors that affected the return over specified cost. With
the information gained from this program, cow-calf producers can better evaluate their cattle breeding programs.
Introduction
The Feedout Program allows producers to learn more
about the characteristics of their calf crop and the factors that
influence value beyond the weaned-calf phase. The program
is not a contest to compare breeds or breeders, or a retained
ownership promotion program. It creates an opportunity for
producers to determine how their calf crop fits the needs of
the beef industry and provides information needed to determine
if changes in genetics and/or management factors are
warranted.
Experimental Procedures
On November 4, 1999, 309 calves (20 heifers and 289
steers) from 42 Arkansas producers representing 21 counties
were placed on feed at Neill Cattle Company Feedyard at
Welch, Oklahoma. Upon arrival, steers were eartagged,
weighed, and processed (Synovex-S, Ivomec Plus, Vision 7
and Bovishield). An experienced order buyer placed an in
value on all calves. Steers were sorted to two feeding pens
based upon weight, frame and condition. Heifers were placed
in a pen and fed separately from the steers. Management factors
such as processing, medical treatments, and diets were
the same as the other cattle in the feedyard. The feedyard
manager selected animals for slaughter when they reached
the weight and condition regarded as acceptable for the
industry and market conditions. Calves were slaughtered in
four groups (March 23, April 12, April 26 and May 17, 2000).
The cattle were sold on a carcass weight basis with premiums
and discounts for various quality grades, yield grades, and
carcass weights. Feed, processing, medicine costs and other
feedyard expenses were financed by the feedyard. All expenses
were deducted from the carcass income, and proceeds were
sent to the owner.
Descriptive statistics were computed to describe general
program results. Because there were only 20 heifers, the
heifer data was not used in the analysis. Of the 289 steers that
started in the fall, two died and two were sold as realizers.
Ten additional steers were sold after only 80 days on feed.
These steers were exceptionally large and were sold to prevent
large carcass discounts. These 14 steers were not included
in the statistical analyses. Therefore, feedlot and carcass
data from 275 steers were used in the analyses. Carcasses of
steers that were at least 50% English, no more than 50%
Continental and less than 25% Brahman were sorted into one
group and those steers that did not satisfy the breed-type criteria
were placed in a second group. Steers either fit the criteria
or they did not, which resulted into two groups. The
group main effect and interaction on the dependent variables
yield grade, ribeye area, ribeye area/hot carcass cwt., ADG,
dressing percentage, feed cost per pound of gain, and net
return were determined using the PROC GLM procedure of
SAS (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC). Fat thickness was used as a
covariant in the model.
Carcasses of steers were also grouped according to
whether or not they fit an industry standard for carcass merit
(at least Choice, yield grade # 3.5, with a hot carcass weight
between 550 and 950 lb). Data were analyzed in the same
manner as the breeding group analysis. Least-squares means
were computed and reported.
Factors affecting feedlot return (gross income minus
feedlot direct expenses) of the top 25% steers and the bottom
25% steers were determined using the Stepwise method of
PROC REG. Independent variables included in weight; percentage
Brahman, percentage English, and percentage
Continental breeding; ADG; yield grade; quality grade; feed
cost per lb of gain; hot carcass weight; days on feed; medicine
cost; ribeye area; ribeye area/hot carcass cwt.; and dressing
percentage.
1 University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Little Rock
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